In Chateauroux, almost 300 kilometers south of Paris, Victor Lindgren won the hearts of the Swedes at the Olympics in the summer of 2024.
The part-time welder from Sjöbo, the reigning world champion, took home a silver medal in the 10-meter air rifle.
"There was a lot of media and stuff at the beginning. But then it was quiet for a really good while," says Lindgren.
“Really lovely guy”
The medal meant that he was nominated for male athlete of the year at the Sports Gala along with superstars Armand Duplantis, Viktor Gyökeres and Truls Möregårdh.
"I didn't think my name would be among them. Then it was really cheeky to present the award to Duplantis. He's super nice and a really lovely guy," says Lindgren.
Swedish sports shooting usually doesn't get much attention, so that the hangover wouldn't be too big after the Olympic success, Lindgren started working on the mental aspect early on.
"You've been afraid that the dip would come, but I got to grips with it very early with sports psychologists and talked very early," he says and continues:
Last year it felt like it was just shooting. It was going so well that it was just a matter of continuing. But now you've landed a little more on earth and then you needed to work more on the mental side.
“Otherwise you'll go crazy”
He lives and works in Sävsjö on a daily basis. In 2024, Lindgren worked 80 percent of his time, but thanks to support from the Swedish Olympic Committee (SOK), his working hours have been reduced to 60 percent. He still sees the job as an advantage.
For me, it means that I get away from the sport a lot and can focus on something completely different. Otherwise you get crazy or tired of it.
When the Olympics are held in Los Angeles in 2028, the then 25-year-old shooter aims to reach double finals: one in 10-meter air rifle and one in 50-meter powder rifle.
That's the big goal, and maybe we'll succeed with double medals, he says.
Born: May 16, 2003 (age 22) in Sjöbo, Skåne.
Club: Sjöbo USG.
Biggest achievements: World Cup gold in 2023, Olympic silver in 2024, World Cup silver in 2025 and first place in the World Cup final in 2025.
Other: Was nominated for male athlete of the year 2025 at the Sports Awards.
